Blagoslovi Dushe Moya Gospoda (Liturgy). Rakhmaninov

This is from the opus 31 setting of the Liturgy by Sergei Rakhmaninov. This video is dedivated to the New Russian Martyrs. The image sequence begins with the trial of St Veniamin of Petrograd, then, icons of the martyrs follow, with individual and corporate icons alternating. This is to show that the martyrdom of the New Russian Confessors was both a personal and united podvig (act of courage). To close the sequence of the martyrs, I chose the icon of the Finding of the Relics of Patriarch St Tikhon. This is a thematic bridge between the past events and the present day. The final image is the Mother of God Stand for Christ with the Martyr’s Cross. That needs no commentary.

The blood of the New Martyrs is the seedbed of the current revival in Russia. This is my tribute to them.

Svyete Tikhy. Rakhmaninov

The religious art of Nikolai Gey is matched with O Gladsome Light from the op 37 Vespers of Sergei Rakhmaninov.

Moya Rossiya. Ural Folk Choir

A pretty song from one of the folk choirs is combined with the artwork of Zinaida Serebyakova. She is my favourite artist… may her memory be eternal! She painted all the Russian people (both peasants and nobles) with honesty and love. There were (and are) few like her.

It’s Getting Closer!

Oh, oh… Dede is bringing in the yolka (Christmas Tree)! Is it that close?

Leonid Baranov. Stairway

Stairway (Leonid Baranov, 1987)

This bronze casting is definitely on the surreal (if not Dadaist!) side.